St. Mary's Suspension Repair & Maintenance

Shocks

In
a conventional suspension system, shock absorbers help hold your tires
to the road when going over rough surfaces or stopping suddenly.

Maintenance and automobile:

Shocks
should be checked about once a year by a St. Mary's AAMCO mechanic
and are inspected as part of St. Mary's AAMCO’s ProtectCheck. Shocks
generally wear gradually and you may not be able to detect noticeable
changes in the automobile’s handling or ride quality; a professional
inspection can pinpoint any concerns.

Signs
that shocks are worn are the classic bouncing, swaying or rocking back
and forth. SUV and light truck owners may want to consider an upgrade in
shocks, which can significantly improve quality and handling in these
automobiles. Bring your automobile to the mechanics at St. Mary's
AAMCO.

Struts

Most
front wheel drive automobiles and trucks use a strut suspension system
rather than shock absorbers. Like conventional shock absorbers, struts
help hold your tires to the road when going over rough surfaces or
stopping suddenly. Struts are built into the suspension system and can
affect automobile control, wheel alignment, and tire wear.

Maintenance and automobile:

Struts
should be checked about once a year by a St. Mary's AAMCO mechanic
(and are inspected as part of St. Mary's AAMCO’s ProtectCheck). The
shock absorber portion of the strut will typically wear out gradually
and you may not be able to detect noticeable changes in the automobile’s
handling or ride quality; a professional inspection can pinpoint any
concerns. Worn struts can be detected by symptoms such as bottoming out,
bouncing, swaying or rocking back and forth. Bring your automobile to
the mechanics at St. Mary's AAMCO.

Springs

Different
springs are used in different suspension systems. Many automobiles have
coil springs, and leaf springs and air springs are also common. Springs
basically support the weight of the automobile. Struts are built into
the suspension system and can affect automobile control, wheel
alignment, and tire wear.

Maintenance and automobile:

Springs
should be checked by a St. Mary's AAMCO mechanic about once a year
(and are inspected as part of St. Mary's AAMCO’s ProtectCheck).
Springs over time can gradually wear and break. Bottoming out, poor
handling and wear of other suspension components are signs of a worn
spring. Consider an upgrade in the quality level of the springs if your
automobile often automobileries heavy loads. Bring your automobile to
the mechanics at St. Mary's AAMCO.

Ball Joints, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm

Ball
joints are a suspension component used on the front end of almost all
automobiles and light trucks. The idler arm and pitman arm are used in
conventional suspension systems, typically on rear wheel drives and many
light trucks.

Maintenance and automobile:

Ball
joints, the idler arm and the pitman arm should be lubricated at every
oil change, if applicable. All suspension components should be checked
by a St. Mary's AAMCO mechanic about once a year (and are inspected as
part of St. Mary's AAMCO’s ProtectCheck). Typical signs of these
components being worn are a automobile that wanders or has erratic
steering and uneven tire wear. Bring your automobile to the mechanics at
St. Mary's AAMCO.